Abstract

Background

A high prevalence of CAM use has been documented worldwide in children and adolescents
with chronic illnesses. Only a small number of studies, however, have been conducted
in the United Kingdom. The primary aim of this study was to examine the use of CAM
by children and adolescents with a wide spectrum of acute and chronic medical problems
in a tertiary children's hospital in Wales.

Methods

Structured personal interviews of 100 inpatients and 400 outpatients were conducted
over a 2-month period in 2004. The yearly and monthly prevalence of CAM use were assessed
and divided into medicinal and non-medicinal therapies. This use was correlated with
socio-demographic factors.

Results

There were 580 patients approached to attain 500 completed questionnaires. The use
of at least one type of CAM in the past year was 41% (95% CI 37–46%) and past month
26% (95% CI 23–30%). The yearly prevalence of medicinal CAM was 38% and non-medicinal
12%. The users were more likely to have parents that were tertiary educated (mother:
OR = 2.3, 95%CI 1.6–3.3) and a higher family income (Pearson chi-square for trend
= 14.3, p < 0.001). The most common medicinal types of CAM were non-prescribed vitamins
and minerals (23%) and herbal therapies (10%). Aromatherapy (5%) and reflexology (3%)
were the most prevalent non-medicinal CAMs.

None of the inpatient medical records documented CAM use in the past month. Fifty-two
percent of medicinal and 38% of non-medicinal CAM users felt their doctor did not
need to know about CAM use. Sixty-six percent of CAM users did not disclose the fact
to their doctor. Three percent of all participants were using herbs and prescription
medicines concurrently.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of CAM use in our study population. Paediatricians need
to ensure that they ask parents and older children about their CAM usage and advise
caution with regard to potential interactions.

CAM is a rapidly expanding industry that requires further evidence-based research
to provide more information on the effectiveness and safety of many CAM therapies.
Statutory or self-regulation of the different segments of the industry is important.
Integration of CAM with allopathic western medicine through education and better communication
is slowly progressing.